Cause of Kemptown Road blaze unknown

UPPER KEMPTOWN – A fire destroyed what’s believed to be a two-storey home here yesterday afternoon.

Firefighters from Valley-Kemptown Fire Brigade responded to the call just after 1:30 p.m. on the Kemptown Road.

“Firefighters reported heavy fire conditions when they arrived,” said Valley-Kemptown Deputy Chief Glen MacAulay, who wasn’t one of the first on the scene. “They also reported structural collapse when they arrived. As you can see, it was a total loss.”

MacAulay said the fire department received assistance from Salmon River Volunteer Fire Brigade with a tanker and manpower, with Bible Hill Fire Brigade also responding with tanker trucks and about half a dozen firefighters. The deputy chief said North River was also called upon to attend with a tanker.

While a few motorists slowed down to check the scene out as they passed, there wasn’t much activity other than the firefighters on scene.

As firefighters waited for more water to arrive, the remnants of the house continued to smolder. A portion of a brick chimney was almost all that was left standing by the middle of the afternoon.

“I don’t believe there was anyone home at the time of the fire,” said MacAulay, adding he wasn’t sure who made the initial call to 911.

“And, it will be very difficult to determine the cause of the fire now,” he said.